Scottish Parliament

Written Answers

Monday 25 October 1999

Scottish Executive

Careers Service

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the budget allocated to the careers service is paid directly from its central funds and what the level of funding was allocated to each careers partnership company throughout Scotland for each of the financial years since 1995.

Henry McLeish: Career Service Companies do not correspond to local authority areas, but are co-terminous with local enterprise company areas. The attached table details the budgets for the 17 career service company areas for the period 1995-96 to 1999-2000.

  The funding is allocated from central funds.

  CAREERS SERVICE BUDGETS PERIOD 1995-96 – 1999-2000

  


CAREER SERVICE COMPANY 



1995-96 



1996-97 



1997-98 AND 1998-99 



`1999-2000 





 


£ 


£ 


£ 


£ 




Argyll and Bute Careers Partnership 
Ltd 


247,500* 


370,000 


393,000 


396,000 




Ayrshire Careers Partnership Ltd 


960,000* 


1,430,000 


1,509,000 


1,526,000 




Scottish Borders Careers 


351,500 


377,000 


398,000 


407,000 




Career Dev Edinburgh and Lothians 


2,450,000 


2,525,000 


2,600,000 


2,651,000 




Careers Central Ltd 


1,248,000 


1,270,000 


1,290,000 


1,295,000 




Dumfries and Galloway Careers Service 


677,700 


692,000 


710,000 


715,000 




Dunbartonshire and Lomond 


802,500* 


920,000 


979,000 


990,000 




Fife Careers Ltd 


1,380,000 


1,470,000 


1,490,000 


1,495,000 




Glasgow Careers
Partnership Ltd 


1,789,000* 


2,310,000 


2,415,000 


2,461,000 




Grampian Careers 


1,722,500 


1,850,000 


1,980,000 


2,018,000 




Highland Careers Services Ltd 


945,000 


970,000 


1,000,000 


1,012,000 




Lanarkshire Careers Partnership Ltd 


1,312,500* 


2,285,000 


2,480,000 


2,540,000 




Orkney Opportunities Centre 


115,100 


117,000 


123,000 


126,000 




Renfrewshire Careers Partnership 
Ltd 


865,500* 


1,270,000 


1,396,000 


1,435,000 




Shetland Careers Services Ltd 


153,000 


153,000 


161,000 


163,000 




Tayside Careers Ltd 


1,330,000 


1,319,000 


1,447,000 


1,471,000 




The Western Isles Careers Services 


144,000 


162,000 


170,000 


173,000 




TOTAL 


16,493,800 


19,490,000 


20,541,000 


20,874,000 




  *1 July – 31 March

Careers Service

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current provision of career advisors is to work specifically with clients with special needs, broken down by local authority.

Henry McLeish: The precise arrangements for managing special needs work vary between careers service companies. In general careers advisors do not work specifically with special needs clients. Careers advisers who work in mainstream schools normally operate in a generic capacity. However every special school in Scotland has a nominated careers adviser.

Careers Service

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it is currently providing for the provision of career advisors for pupils with special needs and whether this funding is ring-fenced in any way.

Henry McLeish: Each of the 17 career service companies in Scotland is allocated funding for the provision of careers advice to the statutory group of clients and other core clients. This includes those in full time education (except higher education), those in part time education to prepare them for a job, 16 and 17 year olds who have left education, and individuals of any age with disabilities (including learning difficulties). A service must also be offered to parents, employers and educational institutions. There is no specific financial allocation for clients with special needs, however individual companies are required to ensure that access to services is equally available to all clients and that clients with special needs have access to specialist advice.

Careers Service

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many special needs clients received advice from career advisers in each local authority area in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Henry McLeish: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Careers Service

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are in place for monitoring the success of achieving work placements for clients with special needs, and what formal liaison exists between local authorities and central government in this area.

Henry McLeish: Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise manage and deliver the national training programme for young people, Skillseekers, through their network of local enterprise companies. Young people who do not have the capability to achieve SVQ Level 2 are endorsed by the careers service as eligible for special training needs (STN) provision. The training will include work placement and, in some cases, direct employment. SE and HIE provide monitoring information on a quarterly basis to the Scottish Executive on the number of young people in STN provision.

  Pupils from special schools also participate in work experience. Summary information on numbers has been collected and published in recent years. The Scottish Executive is now moving to electronic methods of data collection which will give details of work experience and SEN for each individual pupil. A greater range of analysis will then be possible.

Careers Service

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number of (a) careers officers and (b) careers assistants by local authority area and the number of these who have received training for dealing with young people with special needs.

Henry McLeish: Career service companies do not correspond to local authority areas. The following table therefore sets out the number of careers advisers and other staff by the 17 career service company areas; these are co-terminous with local enterprise company areas. It is not possible to give career assistant numbers separately.

  The information on training for dealing with young people with special needs is dated and a new staffing survey is currently being undertaken jointly with the Department for Education and Employment. The timescale for publication is not yet finalised.

  


CAREERS SERVICE COMPANY 



CAREERS ADVISERS 



OTHER STAFF* 





Argyll & Bute Careers 


5 


7.5 




Ayrshire Careers 


30 


26 




Scottish Borders Careers 


9 


13 




Careers Central 


26 


24.5 




Career Development Edinburgh & 
Lothians  


56.5 


36 




Dumfries & Galloway Careers 


14 


17 




Dunbartonshire & Lomond Careers 


22 


18 




Fife Careers 


28 


39 




Glasgow Careers 


51 


48 




Grampian Careers 


28 


57 




Highland Careers 


24 


16.25 




Lanarkshire Careers  


55 


52 




Orkney Opportunities Centre 


3 


1.5 




Renfrewshire Careers 


31 


27 




Shetland Careers 


3 


4 




Tayside Careers 


28 


33.5 




Western Isles Careers 


4 


6.5 




  *managerial, career assistants, support staff.

Community Care

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many respite care facilities are available for (a) young people under sixteen years old and (b) people over sixteen years old with learning difficulties by local authority.

Iain Gray: (a) Respite places in residential homes for children are not readily identifiable. The following table shows the number of homes and places available which provided respite care for children with learning disabilities at some point during the year to 31 March 1998.

  Number of Residential Homes for Disabled Children which provided respite care for children with learning disabilities during the year to 31 March 1998, and number of places available as at 31 March 1998.

  


Local Authority 


Number of Homes 
for Disabled Children 


Total number of 
places available1 




SCOTLAND 


10 


89 




Aberdeenshire 


1 


15 




East Renfrewshire 


1 


6 




Edinburgh, City of 


1 


10 




Fife 


3 


13 




Highland 


1 


14 




Inverclyde 


1 


16 




Moray 


1 


12 




Orkney Islands 


1 


3 




  Source: Residential Establishments census form R1-C (Children’s Social Work Statistics Branch)

  Notes:

  


  1. Denotes the total number of places available as no distinction is made between respite and long-term places.

  



  2. It is possible that some residents in children’s homes will be above the age of sixteen.

  (b) The following table shows (i) the number of residential care homes intended for adults with learning disabilities which offer respite care places, and (ii) the number of respite care places available in these homes. The table is presented by local authority area and relates to 31 March 1998.

  Number of Residential Care Homes Intended for Learning Disabled Adults which offer Respite Care Places and the Number of Respite Care Places Available in these Homes by Local Authority, Scotland 19981

 Local AuthorityNumber of homes intended for adults with learning disabilities which offer respite care placesNumber of respite care places in homes intended for adults with learning disabilities  SCOTLAND   86   234 Aberdeen, City of   12   25 Aberdeenshire   8   16 Angus   2   4 Argyll & Bute   3   5 Clackmannanshire   0   0 Dumfries & Galloway   3   4 Dundee City   3   7 East Ayrshire   2   3 East Dunbartonshire   1   2 East Lothian   2   7 East Renfrewshire   0   0 Edinburgh, City of   4   27 Eilean Siar   1   2 Falkirk   1   3 Fife   4   8 Glasgow City   13   40 Highland, The   4   12 Inverclyde   1   10 Midlothian   1   2 Moray, The   2   5 North Ayrshire   1   2 North Lanarkshire   3   10 Orkney Islands   1   3 Perth & Kinross   2   5 Renfrewshire   2   4 Scottish Borders   2   4 Shetland Islands   1   3 South Ayrshire   2   8 South Lanarkshire   2   3 Stirling   0   0 West Dunbartonshire   2   8 West Lothian   1   2   

  Source: Residential Establishment Census Return R1 (Community Care Statistics Division)

  Notes:

  1. The census covers the year ending 31 March 1998.

Education

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish figures for 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 from the Student Loans Company and the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, showing (a) how much was paid in grants and loans to students resident in Scotland, (b) how many students in each category of institution benefited, and (c) how many in each category paid (i) the whole tuition fee, (ii) part of the fee and (iii) none of the fee.

Henry McLeish: The information requested is set out in the tables below.

  (a) The amount paid by SAAS in respect of grants, fees and student loans:

  


Academic Year 


1997-98 



1998-99 





Maintenance Grant 


£146,303,302 


£136,262,873 




Fees 


£138,652,294 


£102,905,644 




Student Loans  


£94,139,101 


£108,854,429 




  Notes:

  

The figures are 
not directly comparable because of changes in student support arrangements 
between the two years.


The figure for 
student loans reflects the proportion of the total UK-wide expenditure 
of the Student Loans Company Ltd which was met from the Scottish Vote.



  (b) The number of Scottish domiciled award holding students, by category of institution:

  


Academic Year 


1997-98 



1998-99 





Higher Education Institutions 


81,859 


79,817 




Further Education Institutions 


25,138 


25459 




Total  


106,997 


105,276 




  (c) Award holding Scottish domiciled students assessed as being liable to pay the full, part, or no fee:

  


Academic Year 1998-99 


(i) Students paying 
the whole tuition fee 


(ii) Students paying 
part of the fee 


(iii) Students 
paying no fee 




Higher Education Institutions 


5,810 


4,351 


68,669 




Further Education Institutions 


2,213 


3,086 


20,160 




Total  


8,023 


7,437 


89,816 




  Notes:

  1. In academic year 1997-98, tuition fees were paid in full in respect of all eligible students.

  

Students paying 
no fees in academic year 1998-99 includes continuing students who 
retain the right to have their full fees paid in full by SAAS and 
some other categories who are not liable to make a contribution. The 
proportion of these students will decline over time as continuing 
students complete their courses.

Environment

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local farmers were consulted before the decision was taken to designate the Ythan catchment and estuary in Aberdeenshire as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) as required by the EC Nitrates Directive.

Sarah Boyack: Proposals for designation of the Ythan as a NVZ were the subject of consultation in 1994, when it was decided not to proceed with the designation. Successive administrations since have made it clear that the matter would be kept under review.

  We will shortly be consulting fully about the terms of the designation of the Ythan estuary and its catchment.

Environment

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward legislation following the report on the spreading of waste on land published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and what timescale is it working to.

Sarah Boyack: I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-1395.

Environment

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to receive a copy of Her Majesty’s Government’s response to the Report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology in the House of Lords on The Management of Nuclear Waste published on 24 March.

Sarah Boyack: The Government’s response was published today. I have arranged for a copy of the response to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). This recognises the role of the Scottish Executive in taking forward the development of policy on radioactive waste management. I have also written to Mr Andy Kerr, MSP, Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee enclosing a copy of the response.

  This is the first stage of the process to identify, develop and implement the best possible management option for radioactive wastes – one which commands widespread public support. It sets out our commitment to a comprehensive policy for long-lived radioactive wastes, developed in an open and transparent way on the basis of widespread consultation to ensure the maximum possible public acceptance. The next stage will be full consultation on the management options for radioactive waste. Subsequent steps will need to be considered in the light of the results from this consultation and if we decide to pursue the policy of disposal. There is no question at this stage of looking at the potential suitability of any particular sites. We wish to carry out an extensive consultation and consensus-building process in deciding on the way forward.

Finance

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much, in real terms will be the new burdens for Scottish local authorities for the financial years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02.

Mr Jack McConnell: The provision made for new burdens for the financial years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 is set out in the table below:

  

 

1999-2000
£ million 


2000-01
£ million 


2001-02
£ million





Y2K Millennium Bug 


10.000 


- 


- 




Contaminated land 


1.700 


1.952 


1.904 




Assessors costs 


1.000 


0.975 


0.952 




Abolition of Advanced Corporation 
Tax credits 


27.000 


37.561 


36.645 




Working time regulations 


0.130 


0.081 


0.081 




Hallmarking regulations 


0.009 


0.003 


0.003 




Housing stock transfer 


0.089 


0.090 


0.091 




  Notes:

  The figures are based on 1999-2000 prices, adjusted in line with the latest GDP deflator figures published by ONS.

  We are currently discussing possible further new burdens with CoSLA as part of the statutory consultations which take place each year on the local government finance settlement. Any further new burdens recognised for next year will be included in the 2000-01 settlement. Further potential new burdens for 2001-02 will be discussed with CoSLA next year as part of the consultation for that settlement.

Finance

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all new burdens imposed on Scottish local authorities for the financial years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 will be funded entirely from the Scottish Consolidated Fund and if not, what alternative sources of funding will be used.

Mr Jack McConnell: Those new burdens which were recognised by the Scottish Executive after consultation with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities have been taken fully into account in determining the level of Aggregate External Finance to be paid to local authorities for 1999-2000. Discussions are still taking place with the Convention about possible new burdens for 2000-01. New burdens for 2001-02 will be assessed at the time of next year’s settlement.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the fishing industry during the preparation of their proposals for submission to the European Union for the application of the Fisheries Instrument Financial Guidance funding and what has been the response to the consultation.

Mr John Home Robertson: The Scottish Executive issued 250 copies of a consultation paper to interested organisations on the application of the proposed new Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). 42 replies were received. While a range of views were expressed about the priority areas for application of future aid, most respondents favoured a continuation of assistance for the kinds of measures assisted under the existing FIFG regulation.

Housing

Ms Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to assist householders, particularly those on a low income, who wish to test their domestic drinking water systems to ensure that they are free from lead contamination.

Ms Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to assist householders, particularly those on a low income, who wish to replace or repair domestic drinking water systems contaminated by lead solder.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Assistance for households in such circumstances falls within the scope of the improvement and repairs grant scheme which is administered by local authorities. Grant may be paid in respect of works to private houses more than 10 years old. It is subject to a test of resources and payable at rates up to 90% for low-income households. The cost of the test to establish the level of lead in the drinking water is eligible for grant purposes. The improvement and repairs grant system is funded by local authorities from their general fund. It is for each local authority to allocate resources to the scheme from its general fund, in the light of local circumstances.

Justice

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed legislation on feudal reform will prevent individuals or companies buying up the titles of properties owned by other individuals and thereafter charging dues or evicting those individuals from their own homes.

Mr Jim Wallace: Abolition of the feudal system will mean that superiority interests will disappear and all remaining feuduties will be extinguished. Individuals and companies will no longer be able to buy up superiority interests with the specific intention of charging vassals sums of money in return for granting consent to variations of feuing conditions to allow alterations and extensions to property. Superiors will no longer have the right to enforce feudal conditions. It will also no longer be possible for superiors to "irritate" feus, a legal process whereby a superior can repossess a property from the vassal because of an alleged breach of feuing conditions or failure to pay feuduty.

National Goose Forum

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Goose Forum’s final report will be published.

Sarah Boyack: I expect to receive the final report of the National Goose Forum in November, and envisage that it will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

National Minimum Wage

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the submission by the Federation for Small Businesses made in September 1999 to the Low Pay Commission on the effect of the national minimum wage on the small business sector in Scotland, it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government that the level of the minimum wage be set for a minimum of three years in advance and that the impact of compliance with new employment legislation be taken into consideration.

Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government over the range of reserved matters, including those relating to the National Minimum Wage.

  The independent Low Pay Commission has statutory responsibility for monitoring and evaluating the introduction and impact of the National Minimum Wage and will be considering the submission from the Federation of Small Businesses alongside all others received before reporting to UK Government by the end of this year.

Objective 2 Eligibility

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government regarding which areas of Scotland will be eligible for Objective 2 European Structural Funding.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Scottish Executive have been closely involved in finalising the UK proposal to the Commission on Objective 2 eligibility.

Rural Affairs

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the recent reports that a number of French producers were feeding their pigs and poultry on sewage, what action it intends to take to ensure that the meat from any animals fed in this way does not reach the Scottish consumer.

Ross Finnie: The reports referred to are misleading. Following an inspection programme in late 1998, the French Government reported in April this year isolated instances of waste material being illegally used in four animal feed plants. French officials have provided assurances that these incidents were not representative of the industry and that remedial action, including the incineration of the animal feed in question, had been taken.

  No action is required, therefore, for the protection of the health of the Scottish consumer as a result of these incidents.

Rural Affairs

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether they consider the current measures taken by Scottish Natural Heritage to control the wild mink population in the Western Isles are adequate, in particular to prevent depredation of crofters’ livestock and, if not, what steps it will take in this matter.

Ross Finnie: In general, the responsibility for pest control rests with the owner or occupier of a property.

  Scottish Natural Heritage is involved in mink control because of the threat the animals pose to natural heritage interests, particularly to ground nesting birds. It is not responsible for measures to prevent depredation of crofters’ livestock, nor am I aware that this is a significant problem.

  To meet natural heritage objectives, Scottish Natural Heritage is currently, with a number of other organisations, participating in the control of mink through funding and oversight of trapping on South Harris and North Uist. It has also commissioned a field survey to establish the number and distribution of mink on the Uists. The results of this survey are expected in January, and at that stage the situation will be reviewed. In the meantime the measures Scottish Natural Heritage is taking are considered adequate.

Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans a review of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board.

Mr Jim Wallace: A review of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board will start on 1 November.

  The terms of reference for the first stage of the review will be:

  "To carry out a study of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board status and the relevance of its functions (Prior Options Study) in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance and having regard to the needs of the conveyancing and executry services professions and the general public. As an essential part of the review process, officials will be consulting widely with interested parties"

Social Exclusion

Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether arrangements are in place to tackle social exclusion by ensuring that those moving into employment are given the appropriate help in the transition from benefits to wages by letting people know that they may be entitled to housing and council tax benefit extensions.

Ms Wendy Alexander: We recognise the importance of advice and support for people making the transition from benefits to work, and encourage a client-centred, joined-up approach. The delivery of advice on benefit entitlements and on the implications of moving into employment are operational matters for the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service, responsibility for which is reserved. Advice about entitlement to housing and council tax benefit is an operational matter for local authorities.

  The Scottish Executive’s £10 million Working for Communities programme is considering how more integrated services can ensure people have easy access to all the information and services they need.

Tourism

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a copy of the report or review by Deloitte & Touche on the Ossian project commissioned by the Scottish Tourist Board.

Henry McLeish: The report by Deloitte & Touche contains information that is commercially sensitive. I will however arrange for a copy of the Executive summary to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Transport

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to de-trunk any part of the A68.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive has no plans to detrunk any part of the A68.

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what is the average length of time taken to process an application for a freight facilities grant.

Sarah Boyack: The average time for processing the applications for Freight Facilities Grant so far awarded is approximately eight months. The time taken is determined by the quality of information provided by the applicant and the nature of the project.

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the grants paid in relation to freight facilities over the last three years, the amounts paid and to whom they were paid.

Sarah Boyack: The Freight Facilities Grants awarded over the last three years are as follows:

  


Deanside Transit, Hillington 


£3,045,000 




Safeway Stores, Bellshill-Inverness 


£680,000 




Banks & Co. Ltd, Watsonhead 


£873,489 




L.A.W. Mining, New Cumnock 


£2,548,000 




TDG Nexus, Grangemouth 


£3,233,334 




TOTAL 


£10,379,823 




  The Grants paid to date are:

  


Deanside Transit, Hillington 


£400,000 paid 1997-98 




Safeway Stores, Bellshill-Inverness 


£680,000 paid 1998-99 




L.A.W. Mining, New Cumnock 


£1,250,000 paid 1999-2000 




TOTAL 


£2,330,000.

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it will take to ensure that Scottish companies are aware of the availability of freight facilities grants.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive is revising the guide for potential applicants and related publicity material for the Freight Facilities Grant scheme to increase further its profile in Scotland. The revised guide and related material will be available for financial year 2000-01.

Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what enquiries have been made of Scottish local authorities with regard to weight restrictions that are currently in force on bridges and what additional budget will be made available to local authorities to meet requirements to upgrade these bridges.

Sarah Boyack: The Scottish Executive regularly receives information from the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (which represents the 32 local authorities) as part of the Society’s surveys of Councils’ bridge assessment and strengthening programmes. Government support for capital expenditure on roads and transport is included within the single allocation which covers all non-housing capital programmes. It is for local authorities to prioritise projects across the range of these programmes and to allocate the necessary funding from the resources available to them. There are no plans to provide local authorities with additional resources for this purpose.

Transport

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the allocation of revenue raised through transport taxes to rail freight investment, and how much of that investment is made in Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: The U.K. Government treats all taxes as revenues and uses them to fund government expenditure generally. This rule applies equally to transport taxes. The present allocation for rail freight grants in Scotland totals £18.3 million for the period 1999-2002.

Transport

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set targets for future improvements in rail safety and if so how these targets will be delivered.

Sarah Boyack: Under schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of railway services, which includes rail safety, are reserved matters. They are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions within the UK government.

  The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions, the Health and Safety Executive and their Railways Inspectorate, the Rail Regulator and the British Transport Police on matters relating to rail safety in Scotland.

Transport

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the transfer of executive functions for railways, which body will ultimately be responsible for enforcing safety standards on Scotland’s railways and the penalties Railtrack and franchise operators face if they fail to meet safety standards.

Sarah Boyack: The transfer of executive functions for railways did not include responsibility for rail safety, which is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions within the UK government. The Health and Safety Executive are responsible for enforcing safety standards on railways throughout Great Britain, including those in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with these and other responsible bodies on matters relating to rail safety in Scotland.